TAMPA, Fla. — BAE Systems has partnered with South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Systems to explore using its synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology in Azalea, the British defense prime’s planned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance constellation.
The companies announced an agreement June 10 to look at combining Hanwha’s SAR expertise with BAE’s ultra-wideband radio frequency (RF) technology for the multi-sensor network, which would use onboard satellite processors to deliver rapid, secure insights for military and disaster response needs.
The collaboration follows a similar agreement BAE announced with Finnish SAR operator Iceye in 2022, when it unveiled plans for Azalea and a target to launch its first four-satellite cluster with SpaceX in 2024.
Iceye is still providing a SAR satellite for the initial cluster, now slated to launch to low Earth orbit (LEO) later this year, according to Rachael Hoyle, space director for BAE’s digital intelligence division.
However, Hoyle said the other three satellites BAE is providing will only carry RF sensors, not optical cameras as previously envisaged.
“[We’re] expecting future Azalea missions to also contain optical capabilities,” she added via email.
BAE declined to disclose financial details.
“The new collaboration between BAE Systems and Hanwha Systems will allow the UK to deepen its relationship with South Korea and enable both countries to expand into new international markets,” Hoyle said.
“In addition, by working together to deliver a multi-sensor satellite system, the companies will provide space capabilities that will help South Korea to meet its domestic requirements.”
Hanwha, which has plans for its own constellation of broadband satellites, was an early investor in U.K.-based OneWeb but recently moved to sell its entire 5.4% stake in the LEO operator for about $88 million following its 2023 merger with Eutelsat of France, Reuters reported.
